World Habitat Day

Esther Wairimu and husband David Nduati outside their house at Maai Mahiu IDP Camp

Every year on the first Monday of October we reflect on the state of our human settlements and what we want the cities of our future to look like. Habitat for Humanity Staff visited Maai Mahiu Vumilia IDP camp to mark the world’s Habitat day by planting trees.

HFHK staff was also able to share a wonderful moment with four homeowners who told us a lot about their transformed lives. Over the last two years, the IDP’s in Maai Mahiu have collected back the pieces of their lives and engaged in income generating activities like small scale farming and kiosk (retail shop) business within the camp.

Every year on the first Monday of October we reflect on the state of our human settlements and what we want the cities of our future to look like. Habitat for Humanity Staff visited Maai Mahiu Vumilia IDP camp to mark the world’s Habitat day by planting trees.

HFHK staff was also able to share a wonderful moment with four homeowners who told us a lot about their transformed lives. Over the last two years, the IDP’s in Maai Mahiu have collected back the pieces of their lives and engaged in income generating activities like small scale farming and kiosk (retail shop) business within the camp.

The community seemed relaxed and content irrespective of the scorching sun that cracked both the earth and our faces. Mr Karinge who happens to be the Chairman of the camp had a lot to say, from the genesis of how they acquired the land up until now that they pride of having a roof over their heads. ‘’It is through Gods grace that we have come this far’’ Mr Karinge said. ‘’I am grateful to Habitat for Humanity for building us houses and looking after our welfare as a community’’ he added.

Acquisition of land in Kenya has been such a pertinent issue. It took Mr Karinge the chairman of the IDP Vumilia Camp one year for the transfer of ownership and to get a certificate from the Ministry of Land as prove of land ownership. From his own words he says that he hopes it will take a shorter time to get a title deed as they have just commenced on the process. Irrespective of the intrigues involved in acquiring one, like bribery in the Kenyan civil offices, Mr Karinge states that the title will come under the name of the group of which he will be the trustee.

Beneficiaries have improved their houses by doing house extensions, putting up a ceiling, walling design as well as improving the physical appearance of the house. Further on, the IDP’s have started sustainable livelihood projects like chicken rearing and small scale farming. Courtesy of our president Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Hon. William Ruto, Vumilia camp will soon be a ‘Beaming city’ with electricity availed to each everyone’s doorstep. “These houses have acted as security to all of us. We can now result to other businesses like hawking since we can lock our houses without any breakages” a joyful Esther Wairimu says.